428 



HITCHCOCK'S ANATOMY 



nevolent parent provides beforehand for the future needs and 

 happiness of his children. 



806. — III. ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY FURNISH PRE- 

 SUMPTIVE EVIDENCE THAT THE WORLD IS IN A FALLEN 

 CONDITION. 



807. Benevolence blended with Pain. — We have shown 

 that benevolence decidedly predominates in all the organiza- 

 tion and functions of the animal system. But it is not un- 

 mixed benevolence, as we shall now attempt to show. There 

 are evils connected with our physical condition, such as we 

 can not suppose would exist in a paradisaical state, and the 

 inference is that these evils are best accounted for by the sup- 

 position that the world is adapted rather for a fallen than for 

 a holy being. Let us look at some examples of evils which 

 we can not suppose a Being of Infinite Benevolence and 

 Power would connect with a state of perfect holiness. 



808. The Nerves much more Sensitive than is neces- 

 sary to Protect, — 1. The nervous system produces suffering 

 far beyond what is necessary, to put us on our guard against 

 accidents and injurious agents. To awaken and cultivate 

 such prudence in respect to these evils, seems obviously a 

 leading object of p?in and suffering : for the nerves are most 

 abundant and sensitive at the surface of the body. But in 

 many diseases the suffering is intense. Indeed, exasperated 

 and maddened nerves produce the very climax of human 

 anguish. But some other object besides awakening a salu- 

 tary caution against evil must be in view by such suffering. 

 Now we know, that as a matter of discipline for a depraved 

 and sinful being, it is eminently salutary. It affords there- 

 fore a presumptive proof that such is man's character. 



809. Impossibility of avoiding Accidents and Disease. 

 — 2. Man's exposure to accidents and diseases, which no 

 human foresight can avoid, leads to the same conclusion. 



